Automatically opening and closing valves.



. G. DALEN. AUTOMATICALLY OPENING AND ,QLOSING VALVES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 20, 1907.

Patented Nov. 16, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Imam Z2 Arr).

G. DALE'N. AUTOMATICALLY OPENING AND CLOSING VALVES. APPLICATION FILED JULY 20, 1907.

939,986, Patented Nov. 16. 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Fa J.

G. DALEN. AUTOMATICALLY OPENING AND CLOSING VALVES. APPLICATION FILED JULY 20, 1907.

939,986. Patented Nov. 16, 1909.

3 SHEETSSHEET 8.

I v IIIIIII ZIIIIIII @4. (1 4a 7'39 l W- f I i a 1' A! 4/ 45 M E 4% 5i //V VZ/V T07? W/ T/VZSSI S I I 1/ m UNITED sTA Es PATENT OFFICE.

GUSTAF DALEN, OF STOCKHOLM. SWEDEN, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO AMERICAN GASACCUMULATOB, COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

AUTOMATICALLY OPENING AND' CLOSING VALVES.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented N 16 1909.

Application filed July 20, 1907. Serial No. 384,839.

T all whomit may concern:

Be it known that l, GUSTAF Dam an, a subject-of the King of Sweden, and resident of Stockholm, Sweden, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatically Opening anol Closing Valves, of which the following is a specification. v

The present invention has for its object a device, by means of which a, gas conduit can be opened or shut by the influence of light in such a manner, that the gas conduit will be shut in broad day light, but opened in,

darkness.

The invention is especially employ-able for light buoys, light houses and similar signal apparatus, which up to date have been burning day and night, but which in fact need to burn only in darkness. present invention such an apparatus can be caused to extinguish autormttically on broad day light, and to burn on darkness or in cloudy'weathcr. It will be clear that by unequal temperatures'by the influence of light and thereby expand unequally; For this-purpose if the two bodies are solid one of them may be made light-reflecting and the other light-absorbing. If the bodies are liquid or gaseous, they may be inclosed each within a vessel, of which one is light-reflecting and the other light-absorbing. Or one of the bodies may be exposed to the lightrays," whereas the other body is protected by a screen or a covering. One of the bodies or its vessel or the two bodies or their vessels may also be surrounded by coverings, which are light-reflecting and light-absorbing respectively. It is essential that the bodies or their vesselsby the influence of light receive and maintain unequal temperatures, where--' According to the I by they also expand unequally. The bodies i are by mechanical or electrical means in such a manner connected with a valve or the like inserted in the gas conduit, that the valve is kept closed owing to said unequal expansion, but that the same opens, when the light and consequently said difference of itemperature and expansion of the bodies i disappears. Employing said essential characteristics of the invention a multitude of constructional forms, all belonging to the invention, can be constructed.

On the accompanying,drawings some constructions are shown in order to illustrate the invention;

Figure L isa longitudinal section of an apparatus, in which solid bodies are employed and Fig. 2 is ahorizontal section of the same. Fig. 3 is a schematic view, partly in section, of an apparatus, in which gaseous bodies hrc employed in connection with electric means for operating'the valve; Fig. l is a vertical section of an apparatus, in which gaseous bodies are employed in connection with mechanical means for operating the valve.

In l i'gs. 1 and 2 1 indicates a central nmtallic. cylinder, the surface of which in any suitable manner, for instance by means of lamp-black, is made light-absorbing. ()oiicentrically around the cylinder 1 a num:

i l l l I surfaces of which in any suitable manner are made light-reflecting. The said cylinders are by means of points 3inser-ted between an upper movable plate 4. and a lower fixed plate 5, closing a casing 6, in which the valve to be opened and closed by the present device, is inclosed. The valve'is composed of a plate 7. which is suspended on one or more points or edges 8. The cylinder 1 is by means of points or edges 9 and 10 inserted between the said upper plate a and the valve 7, conveniently at a place near its point of suspension. The cylinders 1 and 2 may be surrounded by protecting glasses 11, 12, and insulating plates 13, 14 prevent the-transr the chambers around the cylinders 1 and 2. Bolts 1;") hold the plates sand 5 together A spring 17 is inserted between V-shaped grooves in the heads of the points 9 and 10,

her of other cylinders 2 are arranged, the" mission of heat from the plates 4 and 5 to with a pressure determined by springs 16'.

on the drawing, the valve 7 is closed. If now darkness comes on, the light-absorption on the surface of the cylinder 1 is diminished and consequently the cylinder 1 will gradually receive the same temperature as the cylinders 2. Thus the cylinder 1 will contract more than the cylinders 2, whereby the relative position of the parts, shown on the drawing, is no longer maintained, but the distance between the points 9 and 10 is diminished, which results'in opening the valve by the action of the spring 19. The

gas, flowing into the chamber within the casing 6 through a conduit (not shown on the drawing) thus can escape through the valve to the place of consumption, for instance to the main burner, of a signal apparatus, so that the signal flame is lighted by means of a small constantly burning lighting flame in the previously well known manner. If now the apparatus is subjected to sunlight or broad day light, when the valve. is open, the cylinder 1 will absorb the light rays in a higher degree than the cylinders 2, whereby the cylinder 1 will be warmer and expand more than the cylinders 2. The distance between the points 9 and 10 will thus be augmented, which results in closing the valve 7 and shutting oil the flow of gas to the place of consumption.

The closing of the valve plate 7 is effected solely by the pressure exerted against it by means of the point 10, the latter being in contact with the said valve plate as shown in Fig. l. The point 9 passes loosely through the cover 18, so that, if the cylinder 1 is heated 'sufiiciently to cause the said cylinder to expand longitudinally a sufficient extent to move the cover 18 through a greater distance than the point'9, under the influence of the spring 17, is permitted to move by the cover 4, the said cover 18 may move relatively to said point 9.

Variations of the temperature of the air surrounding the apparatus will effect an expansion or contraction of the cylinder 1, which is as large and rapid as the expansion or contraction of the cylinder 2. The plate 4 will be lifted or lowered by these movements, but the valve 7 is not influenced thereby.

In the apparatus shown in Fig. 3 A and B indicate two vessels of asuitable material, connected with one another through a pipe C which, in the construction shown, is inclined from A toward B. The surface of one of the vessels, for instance A, is made light-reflecting, whereas the surface of the other vessel B is made light-absorbing. A

u v A pi otecting covering 1.)

suitable index D, for instance a body or column of mercury, is inclosed in the pipe C. On both sides of said index two electric contacts 20, 21, 22, 23 are inserted in the pipe C.

A valve body 21 is inclosed in a casing 25, providedv with a gas supply pipe 26 and a gas outlet 27 through the valve body 24:, leading to a burner (not shown). A valve plate 28 rocks on the pin 29 in such a manner, that in one position of the plate the valve 2i is open and the end of the plate opposite the said valve abuts against a stud 30, and the end portion of the plate adjacent the said valve simultaneously abuts against 3 an electric contact 31, whereas the end portion of the plate 21) adjacent the stud 30 has moved from another contact 32. \Vhen the plate 28 abuts against the valve 24, closing this latter, the contact at 31 is interrupted, whereas the contact at 32 is closed. The contact. 31 is connected with a coil 33 on the valve 24, which coil 33 is connected with a coil 3t on the stud 30 and connected with the contact 20 in the pipe C. The contact 32 is connected with a second coil 35 on the stud' 30, said coil 35 being connected with a second coil 36 on the valve 21 conducting to the contact 22 in the pipe C. The contacts 21 and 23 are both connected with the one pole Z of an electric source, the second pole K of which is connected with the valve plate 28 or with contacts connecting with the same and applied opposite the contacts 31, 32. The valve plate 28 suitably constitutes a permanent magnet with north end at N and south end at S. The valve body 24: and the stud 50 are made of soft iron or other magnetic material.

In the position shown on the drawing the mercury index D abuts against the contacts 22 and 23 and the valve 24 is open. The electric circuit is not closed, the circuit from K and the plate 28 being interrupted at 32,

whereas the circuit from K and 28 through the contact 31, the coils 0'3 and 3t leads to 20, where the circuit also is interrupted. Thus when D abuts against 22 and 23 the valve is not operated. This will be the case as long as the gas or air inclosed in the vessel A has the same temperature asthe gas or air inclosed in B owing to equal tem eratures of the vessels 1\ and B, which w1ll be the case at darkness, the pi e C being ar ranged in such a manner, or instance inclined toward B, that the index of itself abuts against the contacts 22 and 23. At broad day light or at sun light B will be more heated than A owing to its light-absorbing property, wherebythe gas or air in B is expanded and moves the mercury index D over to the contacts 20, 21. The circuit through coils 33, 34 is thereby closed and the passage of an electric current therethrough will magnetize the valve 24 and the stud 30.

i 5 the drawing, connecting The direction of the current is indicated by dotted lines. Said coils 33, 34 are wound such a direction, that a southpole is generatedin the upper end of 24 as well asof 5 30.' Consequently the north end N of the valve 24-is attracted, whereas simultaneously tlie stud 3O repels the south end S of the valve plate, whereby the position of the valve 9 plate is reversed and" the valve closed. Dur- 10 ing said reversion of the position of valve plate the contact at 31 is interrupted, where v as the contact 32 is closed, whereby the said circuit is interrupted." The valve plate 28 remains however in its position owing to the working of the magnet-ism. Thisposi tion'is maintained, that, is, the valve is kept closed,

as long as the pressure in B ishigher'than the pressure in A, that is, aslong as B owing to the light-absorption, is. kept warmer than A; vBut if darkness orcloud weather comes on, A and B assume the sam temperatures-and the air in B receives the same pressureasthe air in A. The mercury index D thus" takesthe osition shown on e contacts 22 and 23., However asnow contact is established at 32-the circuit will take its way as indicated by full drawn arrows through v.the

" coils 35, aiid 36' and the contacts 22, -23, lwhereby nownorth pole isgenerated in the} upperends of 24 and 3.0, the coils and 36. wound in oppositedi rection to the' coils 33, 34. Thus thesouth end S of the plate 28v is attracted to'the stud 30, whereassimultaneously its north-end N is repelled bythe valve24, so that this latter is opened being and the plate 28fassumesthe position shown a on the drawing. The contact 31'is-thus closed and the contact 32 interrupted, in

which position the electric source is out of the circu'i 7 V For the object of avoiding too long a pipe C, which would be necessary for enabling a large movementof the index D, whenthe ves.-' '45 set-l3 jiSjIlfilCh heated, plugs 37 of a porous or granular material are inserted into the pipe, permitting the passage of the air or gas, but

- preventing the mercuryto penetrate longer than to the contacts" 20, 21, 22, 23. B 5 this 5on'1eans the distance which the index a J to move. at each variation of the light in;

tensity canbe made smalhand the apparatus 1 be rapidly working. In the apparatus according ctively, are closed by the diaphragms40-,i41,

1 between which is inserted a piece 42, serving as a valve. In the partition-wall 43 between iv the casings38 andv39 is provided a gas sup-1 1 '60 P -pa a y 4 penin into the s ace;

' between the diaphragm 41 and the partition.

, wall 43. In the piece. 42 is bored achannel 146,'opening in the side surface of the piece;

"-at both its ends. The casing 38 is surcs roundedby a covering 47 of an the .casing 39 will be more heated than the 'flame will be extinguished. If darkness variations only resulting in variations of the has-- I to Fig. 4 3s and 39 indicate two castin s, which, respecr so that the flame is burning. If now the casing 39 is subjected to light rays, the gas'iii gas in the casing 38, which isprotected from the light rays by the covering47, owing to 3 which fact the diaphragm and thus the piece are moved downward, so' that the end of thechannel 46, opening in the space between the'diaphragm 41 and the partition wall 43 is closed by the wall. of the hole, throu h which the piece 42 passes. The gas suppy to-the burner is thus shut ofi, sov that thecomes on, the diaphragijn will again assume I the position shown on the drawing. Variations of temperature do not exertinfluence upon the position of the valve-piece 42, such pressure in the casings 38 and. 39, which variations areequal in both casings.

The cylinders l and 2 on the vessels A and B 01-tl 1e casings -may be surrounded by a light-reflecting I and light-absorbing cover" ing respectively instead. of being themselveslight-reflecting and lightabsorbmg,

It may be noted-that the arrangements shown anddcscr-ibed onlyserve as examples for operating a valve in a-conduit, leading y means of the expansion and to a burner contraction of solidor gaseous bodies owing to light variations, and that the invention is not limited to' the-- constructional forms shown. -]The movementof the cylinder 1 Figs. 1 and 2 may also be employedfor opening or closing an electric circuit, by means of which an electro-magnet actuating the valve isinfluenced for opening-01 closing the yalve' or for opening and closing the same.-.- I s r liaving' now particularly descr bedrand ascertained the nature of the said invention and inwhat manner thelsame is to be performed-I declare that whatwi'I claim is 1. In a device for automatically opening and-closing a valve in a conduit, the combination with two bodies adapted to. be unequally expanded by the influence oflight, of means connecting-the bodies with .the valve so as to operate the valve and actuated,

by said unequal expansion.

'2. In a device for automatically open ng and closiii a valve in a conduit the combir nation wit two solid bodies adapted to be, {unequally expanded by influence of light, of

means connecting the bodies with thev'alve so as to operate. the valve and actuated'by 4 said unequal expansion; I

' -3.-.- In .a device for automatically opening Jnation with two solid bodies, one of which is actuated by the unequal expansion .of the light-reflecting Whereas the other is lightand closing a valve in a conduit the combilight-refiecting whereas the other is lightabsorbing, of means connecting the bodies with the valve so as to operate the valve and bodies by influence of light.

4. In a device for automatically opening and closing a valve in a conduit, thecombination with two solid bodies, one of which is absorbing, of mechanical means connecting the bodies with the valve so as to operate the valve and actuated by the unequal expansion of the bodies by influence of llght.

5. In a device for automatically opening nation with a light-reflecting solid body in serted between a "fixed and a movable part of the apparatus of a light-absorbing solid body inserted between said movable part and a valve plate. I I

(3. In a device for automatically opening and closing a valve in aconduit the combination with a light-reflecting metallic cylinder inserted on points between a fixed and a movable spring actuated plate, of a lightabsorbing metallic cylin er, inserted on points between said movable plate and a} spring actuated valve plate, rocking oii points.

7. In a device for automatically opening and closing a valve in a conduit the combination with 'acentral metallic light-absorbing Lcylinder inserted on points between a movable spring actuated plate and a spring actuated valve plate, of metallic light-refleeting cylinders, inserted on points between a fixed plate and said movable plate, said cylinders being located at points outside of the central-fcylinder.

8. In a device forautomatically opening and closinga valve in a conduit the combination with a light-reflecting metallic cylinder inserted on points between a fixed and a movable spring actuated plate, of a lightabsorbing, metallic cylinder, inserted. on spring actuated points, of which one is movable in relation to thecylinder,-between said movable plate and a spring actuated valve plate. y

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GUSTAF DALEN. l/Vitnesses:

WALDEMAR BOMAN, I. EKEBOHN. 

